Strong swell bringing rip-current danger

Richard Dominguez of Westminster, who was out surfing since daybreak, takes a break near the Huntington Beach Pier on Tuesday morning. A winter west-northwest swell is slowly building and will bring overhead waves at some spots along the coastline on Thanksgiving Day, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com.JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Graphics

Warm weather for the Thanksgiving holiday might entice people to head to the beach to take a cooling dip into the ocean, but beware – there will be big waves and rip-current dangers.

Wednesday will start off small, but a winter west-northwest swell will slowly build, and waves will be big on Thanksgiving Day, with overhead waves at some spots along the coastline, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com.

At standout surf breaks like Huntington Beach and Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, waves could be in the 8-foot range by Friday. There's also a secondary south-southwest swell moving in at the same time, making for peaky conditions. The swells will be easing through the weekend, according to forecaster Jonathan Warren.

"Please exercise caution if entering the water, as there will be strong surf and rip currents throughout the region. Eating too much turkey may make you too lazy to swim out of a bad rip," Warren said.

Rip currents can suck beachgoers out to sea and make it difficult to swim back to shore. You can identify a rip because the surface water will seem choppier and will be a brown, murky color. To exit a rip, swim parallel to shore until you are out of the murky area, then swim away from the current and then toward shore.

Also, you might not last long if you take a dip – water temperatures are toe-numbing, sitting below 60 degrees.

Related Links

Richard Dominguez of Westminster, who was out surfing since daybreak, takes a break near the Huntington Beach Pier on Tuesday morning. A winter west-northwest swell is slowly building and will bring overhead waves at some spots along the coastline on Thanksgiving Day, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer catches some air Tuesday morning in Huntington Beach. A winter west-northwest swell is slowly building and will bring overhead waves at some spots along the coastline on Thanksgiving Day, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer enjoys the swell in Huntington Beach Tuesday morning. Wednesday's surfing conditions will start off small, but a winter west-northwest swell will slowly build, and waves will be big on Thanksgiving Day, with overhead waves at some spots along the coastline, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer heads towards the ocean on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier Tuesday morning. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfers enjoy a swell in Huntington Beach Tuesday morning. A winter west-northwest swell is slowly building and will bring overhead waves at some spots along the coastline on Thanksgiving Day, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer catches a wave in Huntington Beach Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer enjoys the swell in Huntington Beach Tuesday morning. Wednesday's surfing conditions will start off small, but a winter west-northwest swell will slowly build, and waves will be big on Thanksgiving Day, with overhead waves at some spots along the coastline, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer enjoys the swell in Huntington Beach Tuesday morning. Wednesday's surfing conditions will start off small, but a winter west-northwest swell will slowly build, and waves will be big on Thanksgiving Day, with overhead waves at some spots along the coastline, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfers take to the waves on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A photographer spends Tuesday morning photographing surfers on the south side of Huntington Beach Pier. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A surfer rides a wave near the Huntington Beach Pier Tuesday morning. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfers take to the waves Tuesday morning in Huntington Beach. A winter west-northwest swell is slowly building and will bring overhead waves at some spots along the coastline on Thanksgiving Day, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfers take to the waves Tuesday morning in Huntington Beach. A winter west-northwest swell is slowly building and will bring overhead waves at some spots along the coastline on Thanksgiving Day, according to Huntington Beach-based forecasting company Surfline.com. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.